CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for custom computer programming services firms in North Carolina
1,680 custom computer programming services firms operated in North Carolina in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 1,680CBP 2023
- Employees
- 24,523mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 15.2U.S. 20.0
- State rank
- 14th of 51by count
The custom software firm industry in North Carolina
North Carolina had 1,680 custom computer programming services firms in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 541511, Custom Computer Programming Services). They employed 24,523 people in mid-March and reported $2.8 billion in annual payroll. That is the 14th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Custom computer programming services firms make up 0.65% of the 258,169 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) North Carolina has 15.2 custom computer programming services firms, 24.0% below the national rate of 20.0. The average establishment has 14.6 employees against 14.9 nationally. Payroll per employee is $112,737, 9.3% below the U.S. figure of $124,254.
| Measure | North Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 1,680 | 68,051 |
| Mid-March employees | 24,523 | 1,012,250 |
| Annual payroll | $2,764,642,000 | $125,775,835,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 14.6 | 14.9 |
| Payroll per employee | $112,737 | $124,254 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 15.2 | 20.0 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
North Carolina's largest markets for custom computer programming services firms
Census published custom software firm counts for 26 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of North Carolina. The largest is Raleigh, NC, with 529 establishments. Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 69% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NC | 529 | 8,269 | 33.9 |
| Charlotte, NC-SC | 511 | 7,283 | 17.7 |
| Durham, NC | 206 | 1,952 | 33.2 |
| Virginia Beach, VA-NC | 196 | 2,297 | 10.9 |
| Greensboro, NC | 92 | 850 | 11.5 |
| Asheville, NC | 84 | 328 | 19.9 |
| Wilmington, NC | 56 | 553 | 11.7 |
| Winston, NC | 53 | 324 | 7.5 |
| Hickory, NC | 21 | 146 | 5.6 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 15 | 492 | 3.8 |
| New Bern, NC | 11 | — | 8.7 |
| Burlington, NC | 9 | — | 4.9 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 8 | — | 3.8 |
| Pinehurst, NC | 8 | 111 | 7.4 |
| Morehead City, NC | 8 | 28 | 11.4 |
| Waynesville, NC | 8 | 41 | 12.7 |
| Boone, NC | 8 | 5 | 14.5 |
| Sanford, NC | 7 | — | 10.2 |
| Kill Devil Hills, NC | 7 | — | 18.3 |
| Brevard, NC | 7 | — | 20.5 |
| Anderson Creek, NC | 6 | — | 4.1 |
| Greenville, NC | 4 | 36 | 2.2 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 4 | — | 3.3 |
| Wilson, NC | 4 | — | 5.0 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 3 | — | 2.0 |
Top 25 of 26 areas by establishments. Source: Census CBP 2023.
Team sizes at custom computer programming services firms in North Carolina
73.9% of North Carolina's custom computer programming services firms with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 72.0% nationally. 83.5% had fewer than ten. At that size the phone is shared, so routing (who rings, when, and what happens after hours) matters more than the number of desk phones.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 1,241 | 73.9% | 72.0% |
| 5–9 employees | 162 | 9.6% | 10.1% |
| 10–19 employees | 118 | 7.0% | 7.0% |
| 20–49 employees | 80 | 4.8% | 5.9% |
| 50 or more employees | 79 | 4.7% | 4.9% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Calls a custom software firm in North Carolina has to catch
Small software shops juggle client meetings, support requests and sales calls with a team that is mostly heads-down building. A shared line with routing keeps support from interrupting developers while still answering clients.
A few of the calls that come in to custom computer programming services firms in North Carolina:
- A partner agency calls about a subcontract.
- A client calls to schedule a demo.
- A prospect calls to discuss a new app project.
Business texting for custom computer programming services firms
Firms text release notices and meeting reminders.
Texting from a local number in North Carolina requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
What a phone system costs a custom software firm in North Carolina
Custom computer programming services firms in North Carolina average 14.6 employees, so the comparison uses a 15-person team. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $374.25 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $450.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $299.00 a month for 15 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,812 less than RingCentral for a custom software firm in North Carolina of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $299.00 | $3,588.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $285.00 | $3,420.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $345.00 | $4,140.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $374.25 | $4,491.00 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $405.00 | $4,860.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $450.00 | $5,400.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Area codes in North Carolina
North Carolina has 10 geographic area codes in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a custom software firm can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 910 | 785 | Eastern | 1993 | 472 |
| 336 | 783 | Eastern | 1997 | 743 |
| 704 | 782 | Eastern | 1947 | 980 |
| 919 | 781 | Eastern | 1954 | 984 |
| 828 | 724 | Eastern | 1998 | none |
| 252 | 695 | Eastern | 1998 | none |
| 980 | 463 | Eastern | 2001 | 704 |
| 984 | 295 | Eastern | 2012 | 919 |
| 743 | 160 | Eastern | 2016 | 336 |
| 472 | 106 | Eastern | 2022 | 910 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
How Callata works for custom computer programming services firms in North Carolina
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
Porting a number you already use in North Carolina is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many custom computer programming services firms are in North Carolina?
1,680 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 24,523 people in mid-March.
Which North Carolina metro area has the most custom computer programming services firms?
Raleigh, NC, with 529 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 15-person custom software firm?
$450.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $374.25 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $299.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a North Carolina number?
Yes. US carriers require business texting from local numbers to be registered (10DLC). On Callata the registration is a one-time $49 fee, and texting turns on once it is approved.